Google.org Launches US$30M AI for Science Challenge

Google.org has launched a US$30 million global funding initiative to accelerate AI-driven scientific research in health and climate-related fields. The Google.org Impact Challenge: AI for Science will provide grants of US$500,000 to US$3 million, along with technical expertise and cloud infrastructure, to nonprofits, academic institutions and social enterprises working on high-impact projects.

The initiative builds on Google.org’s inaugural AI for Science fund and reflects a broader push to pair artificial intelligence capabilities with philanthropic capital and engineering support. Applications are open through April 17, 2026, and will be evaluated by Google.org and internal subject matter experts, alongside external reviewers including Renaissance Philanthropy and the Centre for Public Impact.

Selected organizations will receive catalytic funding as well as Google Cloud credits and technical resources. Participants may also join a six-month Google.org Accelerator program offering pro bono support from Google engineers and AI specialists.

“We know that innovative breakthroughs require holistic support beyond funding, so selected organizations will also have the opportunity to participate in a Google.org Accelerator and receive engineering support, technical mentorship and Google infrastructure to scale their solutions,” said Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer, Google.

Priority Areas: Health and Climate

Google.org is seeking proposals in three areas: Health and Life Sciences, Crisis Resilience, and Environmental Science.

In climate resilience, AI-driven modeling can improve early warning systems, water management and ecosystem monitoring. In health and life sciences, machine learning tools are being deployed to accelerate drug discovery, disease detection and genomics research.

“The pace of scientific discovery is accelerating at an extraordinary rate. At Google, we are committed to helping organizations everywhere harness this momentum to unlock breakthroughs that benefit both people and the planet,” Brandt stated.

Building on Earlier AI Investments

The program expands Google.org’s AI-focused philanthropy. In 2023, the organization allocated US$20 million through its Digital Futures Project to support think tanks studying AI’s societal implications. The inaugural AI for Science fund, announced earlier this year, backed projects applying AI to complex biological systems.

One example is the Bifrost research initiative, which uses DeepMind’s AlphaFold3 to predict plant immune receptor interactions. The project integrates plant science and responsible AI methods to protect crops from pathogens linked to climate change. According to The Sainsbury Laboratory, successful pipelines will be integrated into breeding programs to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides. “The awardees are using AI to tackle some of the world’s most complex scientific challenges,” said Maggie Johnson, Global Head, Google.org.